Power steering apparatus



Dec. 16, 1958 H. E. HRUsKA POWER STEERING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed OCT.. 3, 1951 uw ww wm. mm

un Nn MSc/um Dec. 16, 1958 H. E. HRUSKA l 2,864,340

PowER STEERING APPARATUS Filed oct. s, 1951 2 Sheets-sheet 2 United States Patenti() F PoWER stipulant@ APPARATUS "Howard E. Hrnska, South Bend, 1nd., assigner to Bendix Aviation Corporation, Sonth'end, 1nd., a corporation `of Delaware vApplicationOctober 3,'1951,SerialfNo. 249,593

8 Claims. y(Cl. 121-465) This invention 'concerns "powensteeringtor vehicles --and.more particularly hydraulic power-steering.

s ItA is anv object vof -theinvention1to provideavalve for use in a hydraulic system to establish afreactionforce .which is utilized as -an aid tofsteer afvehicle Hmanually.

.A-further yobject of the invention'resides in theprovisionfof a valve for use in a hydraulic system-to manually establish a lreaction force vwhich is combined' with .power 'assist to accomplish steering of avehicle.

' Another object of the inventionresides in the'provision of a' hydraulic power steering apparatus comprising a valve and uid motor wherein the valve is capable fof establishing a hydraulic reaction force which bears a WVrelationship vto theuid'pressure acting in the motor.

-A vstill further object is to provide an'efcient and Vsimplified hydraulic power steering apparatus.

The above and other objects and features ofthe in- -vention 'will be apparent fromthel followingdescription of theapparatus taken infconnection withthe Vaccompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,

I and in which Figure l is a schematic lview of the steering apparatus; Figure 2 is aview in section of the yvalve used inthe apparatus of-Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a schematic'representation of a modified form-of vthe-invention showing its connections to a hyvdraulic system.

Referring-now to Figure 1 of the drawings the reference numeral 1@ designates a vehiclech'assis on which the apparatus oi' the invention issupported. The chassis ..10 is .carried on wheels 12, only one of which is shown. The vehicle is fequipped with the usual steering linkage comprising a cross tie rod 14,1side links 16, connecting thetie rod to steering arms 1S, only .oneof which is shown, a wheel spindle 20, `integrallyv vrelated to v.the steering arm, and a king pin 22, carried .by the wheel ,spindle for pivotally supporting the isteered part or wheel '12. -One end-of the cross tie rod-1l-is supported on the rchassis-by'an idler link'24,k the otherendof thetie rod is supported from a pitman arm 26, `drivably related to la steerinu column'and wheel, Vnotshown for `manuall .steering va vehicle. f

-To accomplish power steering a fcontr-ol valve28 is ninterposed in `the linkage between the cross tie rod v14 46 Yprovi efor .the transfer of "fluid underpres'sure from tne control valve tothe .opposed chambers `of"theuid motor. i v u n Y The control 'valve 23 comprises' aho'usmg, provided f 84E-"retained inl a grooveV 86, of thehousing bore.

member-for unit.

2,864,340 Patented "Dec.- 16, #1958 ICC `with a"bore50,having a valve member 52 therein slidably positionable in opposite directions from a normally central" position as shown inY Figure 2, for controlling flow to '-the `uid motor. The valve member 52` and 'cylinder bore 50 Vare formed with annular'channels 54, 56, 58,?60` and 62. The channels 56 and 60, located in the yvalve member 52, are of such width that free communication between the channelSl and the channels 54 andl 62 is4 established with the 'valve'member in its neutral or central position. The channels'54 and 62 are in communication with'inlet'ports 64. The channels 56 and 60 are connected to working ports 66, and the channel 58 is connected to a reservoir port 68. The rvalve member 52 comprises the mid-section 70, and end sections 72 and 74 held 'in assembled relationship by a bo1t76.

Theends4 of the housing 48""are`pr`ovided with bushings :78 land 80vforreceiving the'endsections '72 and 74 respectively. vThe bushing A78 yhasits^inner end abutting shoulder S2 andlits outer end held -vagainst a split washer The left end of ythe rbore is closed by a hat' shaped cover 88 having its"briminterposed between bushing 78 and the split 'washer-84. -A seal 90 prevents leakage to atmosphere from-:betweenbushing 7'fandthe housing'48. AV-

yshaped packing ring 92 is receivedfin groove 94 and wipes theVV interior of the bushing 78. This packing ring .92prevents leakagebetween the parts 72 and78. The Yreservoir port 68 is communicated'to thefinnerside of the lV-shaped packing ring- 92 '-via passage 96,*annular passage-98,` -and` radialpassage 169, '-thus providing lubrication ,for'the lendfse'ctionsV of the valve member andl a leakagereturn'path yto thet reservoir. The Vbushing Si) ris .held-against-shoulder 192 .'by anexternalfcap- 104which threadedly Yengages`the housing 48. The housing-'is provided with-an 'extension in-fthefform of a tube-'.166

vhaving aila'nge portion-:168 turned-outwardly forinterposing` betweenthe cap-1il4-and Ithe bushing 86. Bushing-89;` like 'bushingyis equippedz withv av seal -96 to prevent lleakageto atmosphere. Section V74-is also provided -WithaV-shaped packing ring 92 which-wipes the interior' ofAv vthe bushing-80- and prevents leakage between parts-:74-y and-80 'to atmosphere. -Theinner side of the packing*ring`\92,associated withthe' endsection'74, is communicated to nthe -reservoirport --68 "viapassage 116, the annular passage 93, and-the radial passagelO. The right end of-the-bolteS-is formed with-an enlarged head 112.forengagementiwith-an end 114 of a sleeve 116,

V-slidablyy disposed in the `tubular extension 106 lof the housingvfli.-*Ther-sleeve^116--canfslidein the housing between the endof #the 'bushing -86 Iand t a 'shoulder l11S inthe tube 106. AThe bolt 76, ties the sections 70, 72, V'74 and Y.the lsleeve-116A together-.for movement asa single The tube 106A and thesleeve 116 are provided with lateral openingsfor-the reception of-a -fball stud 119, "one endof `which-is yconnected to the pitman arm-26. The other endftofwheball stud isrformed with a roundedportion 120 which. is carried in sockets 122 and 124-of.rnembers 123. and 125respectively, located inthe sleeve ,116. A.plug..126.is threaded into the. open .end Vof sleeve.116.and i-s adjustable topreload a spring Vspring `expands anamont equal to the total'wear of the parts. 'The cross "t'ieirodlllt threadedly engages the tubular 'end offthelhousing 4S.

l 'A 'Asideffrom the general arrangement of theV valve and y "steering'apparatus theV control 'valveiof the'A inventi'on is Halso providedfwithnovel"meanstorcreating a differential in pressure on the ends of the valve member 52 upon movement thereof from its central position, for causing the housing member to follow up the valve member. This means includes chambers 132 and 134 connected to the annular channels 56 and 60 respectively. The annular areas 136 and 138 of the valve member 52 form one movable wall for each of the chambers 132 and 134, and the opposing annular areas 140 and 142, of the housing member 48, form another movable wall for each of the aforesaid chambers. The chambers 132 and 134 are connected respectively, to the annular channels 56 and 60 by passages 144 and 146.

Figure 3 is a modification of the control valve of Figure 2. The principal difference between the control valves resides in the construction and arrangement of the annular channels and to this end only, will the valve` be described. In the description of Figure 3, all parts like those in Figures 1 and 2 will be given the same designating numeral. The valve comprises a housing member 147 and a valve member 148 disposed in the bore of the housing and movable in opposite directions from a central position for controlling ilow. Fluid from a reservoir 150 is pressurized by a pump 152, which is connected to an inlet port 154 of the valve. A reservoir port 156 communicates with the reservoir 150 via pipe line 158. Two working ports 160 communicate with opposite ends of the uid motor 30 through the exible connections 44 and 46. The valve member 148 is formed with annular channels 162 and 164 which communicate with the inlet port through passages 166 and 168 respectively. An annular channel 170 is also located in the valve member, between channels 162 and 164, and communicates with the reservoir port 156. Annular channels 172 and 174, formed in the bore of the housing member 147, are of such width that each overlaps equal areas of the annular channels 162 and 170 and 164 respectively when the valve is in its central position. Annular chambers 176 and 178 are located at the ends of the valve member 148 between the latter and the housing member 147. These chambers 176 and 178 are connected to the working port channels 172 and 174 through passageways 182 and 180 respectively. Functionally, this control valve is identical with that of Figure 2, except that structurally the former might be considered as turned inside out. That is, the annular channels of the valves of Figures 2 and 3 are in different members.

Operation and function of the steering apparatus:

With the control valve in its central position, of Figures l and 2 which is the case during nonsteering, uid under pressure from the source divides equally between the inlet ports 64, from whence the uid ows to the reservoir port 68 via the annular channels 56 and 60. The uid under pressure which flows through the annular channels 56 and 60 also acts in the ends of the uid motor30 through the connections 44 and 46. At this time the pressures in chambers 132 and 134 are equal and since the opposing areas 136 and 140 of the chamber 132 and the areas 138 i and 142 of the chamber 134 are equal the resultantforces acting on these areas cancel out.

Movement of the valve member 52 from its central position reduces the tlow in one of the working ports 66 and increases ow in the other Working port.l For example, movement of the valve member 52 tothe right, Figure 2, restricts the tlow to the annular channel 56 and to working port 66, on the left, and increases the ow to the annularrchannel 60 and hence to the Working port 66, on the right. This action of the valve connectsone side of the'uid motor to the increase in flow from the working port on the right, and the other side of the motor tothe reservoir port 68, through the widened overlap betweenthe annular channels 56 and 58, causing movement of the steered part 12. Since the housing of the control valve and the cylinder of the uid motor, are connected tothe cross tie rod, movement of the steered part also returns the valve to its central position. That is, the steering apparatus is of the follow-up type. Since the chamber 132 is communicated to the working port 66 on the left through the passage 144 and the chamber 134 is communicated to the working port 66 on the right through the passage 146 the latter mentioned chamber will be subjected to a greater pressure. Bearing in mind that the areas of the movable walls are the same in both chambers, the movable walls of the chamber having the greater pressure will be subjected to a force proportional to the differential in pressure existing in the two chambers, tending to restore the valve to its central position. This reaction force which is transmitted into the housing member 48 is combined with the force applied to the tie rod through the action of the fluid motor, to thereby steer the vehicle. A force equal and opposite to this reaction force is imparted to the right end of the valve member tending to prevent further movement thereof. This force, which is taken in the valve member, is felt by the operator of the vehicle and is called feeL This feel has the eiect of apprising the operator of the effort required to steer and may be varied by selecting other areas for the movable walls.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments, the principles are susceptible of numerous other applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in the art.

Having thus described the various features of the inven'tion, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A valve comprising a housing with a cylindrical bore therein, a cylindrical valve member having a central position in the bore and slidably positionable from said central position for controlling ow, said housing being movable with respect to said valve member to reestablish the latter in its central position in the bore, two annular channels in the bore of the housing connectible to a source of fluid under pressure, a third annular channel in the bore of the housing connectible to a return line, two annular channels in the valve member connectible to working ports and communicating the third annular channel with the other annular channels in the bore of the housing, pressure chambers formed in the ends of the bore between the housing and the valve member, each of said pressure chambers being provided with two opposed reaction areas one associated with the housing and the other associated with the valve member, connections from said pressure chambers to the working ports via the two annular channels in the valve member, movement of said valve member away from its central position establishing unequal pressures in the chambers acting on said areas tending to cause the housing to follow up the valve member, and means for moving said valve member out of its central position.

2. A valve comprising a housing with a cylindrical bore therein, a cylindrical valve member having a central position in the bore and slidably positionable from said central position for controlling flow, said housing being movable with respect to said valve member, two annular channels in the bore of the housing connectible to a source of tluid and spaced apart axially along the bore, a third annular channel in the bore of the housing connectible to a return line and located between said two annular channels, two annular channels in the valve member connectible to working ports, said two last mentioned annular channels being so arranged in said valve member and of such a width that when the valve member is in its :central position one of said last mentioned annular channels communicates one of said tirst mentioned annular channels with said third annular channel and the other of said last mentioned annular channels communicates the other of said first mentioned annular channels with said third annular channel, a chamber formed at each end of the valve member between the latter and the housing, said valve member forming one movable wall for the chambers and the housing forming the other A` movable wall, a passage from one of 'thechambers to one of the twollastmentioned annular channels, a passage from; the other chamber to the other of saidlasty mentioned annular channels, movement of;said valve member from its central position establishing unequalgpressures in said chambers acting on said-movable wall formed by' the' housing tending to cause the'housingtomove in a direction to re-establish the valve member in its central position, and means for moving said valve member away from its central position.

3. A valve for a servo meten-comprising ahousing member, a Vvalve member mounted'inrsaid housingfmember and shittablerfrom a neutrale-position for ,controlling flow, a pair of annular inletfchannels adaptedtoreceive a working lluid yund.er pressure, an outlet port' and a pair of working ports, `expansiblechambers adjacent the opposite ends of the valve member, said chambers each having opposed movable walls delined by the contiguous surfaces of the housing and Valve members, two annular channels connecting the inlet channels to the working ports and also to the outlet port, fluid connections formedin one of said members from each of said chambers to the working ports via said two annular channels, movement of said valve member from its neutral position producing a differential in pressures in said working ports which differential pressures are communicated through the respective connections to the eXpansible chambers, the resultant differential in pressures in said expansible chambers exerting a reaction force on the opposed movable walls thereof defined by the housing and valve members in a direction tending to move the valve to its neutral position.

4. A valve for a servo motor comprising a housing member, a valve member mounted in said housing member and shiftable from a neutral position for controlling how, a pair of annular inlet channels formed in said housing member, means for communicating a working fluid under pressure to said channels, an outlet or reservoir port and a pair of working ports also formed in said housing member, expansible chambers adjacent the opposite ends of the valve member, said chambers each having opposed movable Walls defined by the contiguous surfaces of the housing and valve members, annular channels formed in the housing andL valve members and connecting the inlet channels to the working ports and also to the outlet or reservoir port, fluid connections formed in said valve member from each of said chambers to the working ports via said annular channels, movement of the valve member from its neutral position producing a differential in pressures in said working ports which differential pressures are communicated through the respective connections to the opposed expansible chambers, the resultant diierential in pressures in said expansible chambers exerting a reaction force on the opposed movable walls thereof in a direction tending to move the valve member to its neutral position.

5. A valve assembly for use in a power steering system, said valve including a housing member with a cylindrical bore therein, a cylindrical valve member having a neutral position in said bore, said housing and valve member reciprocably associated with each other so each is movable with respect to the other to control liuid pressure, two spaced annular channels in said bore adapted to communicate with liuid pressure ports, a third annular channel in said bore in between said two spaced annular channels and adapted to communicate with an outlet liuid port, a pair of annular channels in said valve member each adapted to communicate with a work port, each of said annular channels in said valve member adapted to be located between one of the annular channels adapted to communicate with a fluid pressure port and the annular channel adapted to communicate with an outlet port when said valve member is in a neutral position, all of the channels adapted to be in direct fluid communication when said valve member is in a neutral position, expansible pressure chambers located 'between the ends of the valve memberand portionslof 'thelhous ing, each pressure chamber including two opposed'lr'eaction areas, one associated with Vtherhousing ,andthe other with the valve member, means providing Vdirect'fluid communication between one of the annular channels adapted to communicate with a work port and one of the pressure chambers, and means associated with said valve assembly to move the housing and valve .member-with respect to each other whereby movement therebetween causes unequal pressures in the pressure .chambers which act upon the reaction areas tending to cause relative movement between-the' housing and valve member to return them to a neutral position.

6. A valve assembly for use in a power steering system, said valve comprising a housing member with a cylindrical bore, a reciprocable valve member in said bore, said housing and valve member each movable with respect to the other to control iiuid pressure, a pair of iiuid 'pressure inlet ports in said housing in communication with two annular channels in the bore of said housing, a return port in said housing between said two inlet ports in communication with a third annular channel in the bore of said housing which is located between said two annular channels therein, two work ports in said housing in communication with a pair of annular channels in said reciprocable Valve member, each of which is adapted to be located between one of the annular channels in communication with liuid pressure and the annular channel in communication with the outlet port, all of the annular channels being in direct liuid communication when said valve member is in a neutral position, expansible pressure chambers located at the ends of the reciprocable valve member between the end of the valve member and the housing, each expansible pressure chamber including two opposed reaction areas, one associated with the housing and the other with the valve member, a direct iiuid communication between each expansible pressure chamber and an adjacent annular channel in the valve which is in communication with a work port, and means associated with said valve assembly to move the relatively movable housing and Valve members with respect to each other, whereby when the relatively movable members are moved with respect to each other iluid pressure is directed to one of said work ports and is cut oit from the other work port, and the fluid pressure directed from said one work port is also directed to the expansible pressure chamber in direct uid communication therewith, said eXpansible chamber having been made smaller in proportion to the movement of the relatively movable housing and valve member; the iiuid pressure being directed to said expansible chamber causing a reaction to be transmitted to an operator of the steering system and reacting against the reaction areas in the expansible pressure chamber tending to cause relative movement between the housing and valve member to return them to a neutral position.

7. A valve comprising inner and outer telescopically rranged members having normally neutral positions with respect to each other, one of said members being shiftable from either direction from its neutral position for controlling flow, an inlet port, an outlet port, two working ports, channels in the members communicating with the respective ports and establishing communication therebetween, two chambers, one located at each end of said inner member, the channels in the inner member being provided by a plurality of lands, said plurality of lands including two lands, one located at each end of said inner member adjacent the respective chambers and forming movable walls therefor, passages in the lands forming the movable walls, said passages connecting the chambers to channels in communication with the two working ports, and means for moving said one member from its neutral position.

8. A valve comprising inner and outer telescopic'ally arranged members having normally neutral positions with respect to each other, one of said members being shiftable from either direction from its neutral position for controlling ow, an inlet port, an outlet port, two working ports, channels in the members communicating With the respective ports and establishing communication therebetween, two chambers, one located at each end of said inner member, the channels in the inner member being provided by a plurality of lands, said plurality of lands including two lands having passages therein connecting said two chambers to channels Which are in communication with said two working ports, and means for moving said one member from its neutral position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS West et al May 7, 1935 Vickers Dec. 3, 1935 Swisher Dec. 13, 1938 Kenyon et al. Aug. 13, 1940 Bryant Sept. 23, 1941 De Ganahl Mar. 28, 1944 Proctor July 31, 1945 Boynton Ian. 29, 1946 Allison Sept. 16, 1947 Brown Dec. 16, 1947 Fisher Sept. 28, 1948 Tuyman Nov. 8, 1949 Onde Aug. 28, 1951 Garrison Aug. 26, 1952 

